Two LaSalle County Auditor’s office employees charged with felonies

By: Staff - Updated: 4 months ago

Posted Oct 3, 2018

Mendota woman accused of stealing government funds

OTTAWA - Tori Artman, 44, of Mendota and Pamela Wright, 54, of Ottawa, deputy auditors working in the La Salle County Auditor’s Office, were charged with Class 2 felonies on Sept. 25. The charges stem from unearned overtime pay Artman and Wright allegedly received and also for alleged conspiracy to commit theft on a governmental entity.

Court records state that each is accused of stealing less than $10,000 in government funds and conspiring with one another to do so. Artman is accused of taking $1,358.88 over several months from fall 2016 until late summer 2017. Wright is accused of taking $1,672.86 during the same time period. Both are out on bond.

Artman is scheduled to appear before Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. on Oct. 4. Wright’s hearing will be on Oct. 11, also before Chief Judge Ryan. Trial dates could be set for early 2019.

Theft of governmental property (more than $500 but less than $10,000) is a Class 2 felony. Base sentence ranges from 3-7 years in prison. The conspiracy and official misconduct charge, a Class 3 felony, ranges from 2-5 years in prison. The felonies have possible probation, restitution and time served in jail in lieu of prison.

County records indicate that Artman’s base salary in 2018 was $50,693, with total compensation of $72,663, and Wright’s base salary was $49,151, with total compensation of $56,126.

The auditor’s office reviews all bills, reimbursements and payment requests made by various county departments.